Page 3 of Playing for Keeps

CHAPTER 2

The opulent cast-iron gates at the entrance to Fox Hill Golf and Country Club were so familiar that Alegra rarely registered them. Today was different. Today, she felt intensely alert as she arrived at work. Slowing her car by the gates, she took the time to really look at the twisted ironwork and then the large decorative boulder engraved with the name of the golf club.

Through the gates, she crawled along the long driveway, flanked on either side by immaculate lawns which sparkled with morning dew. Mist rose to meet a bright blue sky, and the sight of it sent goosebumps rippling along the back of her neck.

A quick glance to the left gave her a view of the red-brick cottage which had been her childhood home. Her dad would be there now – recovering from a bout of illness. She’d go in and check on him shortly, but first she had a meeting with her cousin, Bella, who’d be taking over the running of the golf club for the next couple of weeks.

Given her dad’s poor health, it didn’t feel like the best time for Alegra to be going away. Once again, it crossed her mind to back out, but her bags were all packed, and she didn’t suppose her dad would let her back down at this point.

At least she knew the business would be safe in Bella’s hands. Her cousin had been working at the golf course since she was a teenager and knew the place as well as Alegra did. She’d also be diligent in keeping an eye on her dad, Alegra reminded herself, so she really shouldn’t worry. At least not about what she was leaving behind here in Surrey.

What she was getting into was another matter entirely.

Bypassing the customer parking, she circled around to the back of the elegant clubhouse and parked by the staff entrance. On a normal working day, she made a point of going in through the main entrance and chatting with staff and customers. Today wasn’t a day for small talk, though. She wanted to be on her way as soon as possible if she was really going to do this.

Stepping out of the car, her bright white trainers crunched on the gravel. She pulled her chunky-knit maroon cardigan on over her black polo neck T-shirt and grabbed her handbag from the passenger seat. After closing the car door, she let her gaze linger on the midnight-blue Porsche.

She rolled her eyes as another flaw in her dad’s ridiculous scheme came to her. Muttering a few choice words, she hurried inside through the door marked staff only.

“I drive an electric Porsche,” she announced loudly to her bemused cousin as she waltzed into the office at the back of the building. “A Porsche! Explain to me how driving a ridiculously expensive sports car fits in with Dad’s insane plan. And then please explain what he said to you to convince you it was a good plan.”

“Hi.” Bella’s bright red hair looked extra glossy as she sat behind the large mahogany desk. It had been her dad’s desk until a couple of years ago, when Alegra had taken over most of the running of the place.

Remaining in the doorway, Alegra followed Bella’s gaze to the leather armchair where her dad sat looking back at her. His eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Hi, Dad.” She crossed the room and kissed his cheek. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”

He squeezed her upper arm. “Clearly.”

“What’s the problem with your car?” Bella asked.

Alegra took the chair across the desk from her cousin. “It stands out a bit, don’t you think?”

“It’ll be fine,” her dad said, swatting the air dismissively.

“Really?” Alegra leaned onto her knees. “So you’re expecting me to work as a waitress at a golf club you own—”

“We own,” he interrupted her. “You’re part owner of the Thurley Beach Club.”

“Whatever,” she said with a subtle head shake. While she’d always been proud of the Fox Hill Club, she’d tended to pretend their golf club in Devon didn’t exist. The day-to-day running of it was left to the general manager and her dad dealt with any issues that came up. “Don’t you think people might question how a waitress can afford to drive a Porsche? Or, more to the point, why someone who drives a Porsche would need to take a job as a waitress.”

“Just don’t drive it around the village unless you have to,” her dad said, leaning back in his chair. “You won’t need to drive much in Hope Cove, though. You can take bracing walks along the coastal path from the golf club to the village. Do you remember it?”

“Not really, Dad. It’s been a while. We left when I was eight.”

“Nine,” he corrected. “And I’m sure it will all come back to you.”

That was exactly what Alegra was worried about. She’d spent almost twenty years refusing to think about her life before they moved to Surrey, but now her dad was finally getting his way and making her revisit it.

“I spoke to Kevin,” her dad went on, referring to the manager of the Thurley Beach Club. “As far as he’s concerned, you’re the daughter of a friend of mine and we’re giving you the job as a favour. I’ve hinted that you’re a bit of a princess who needs to learn what it’s like to work for a living and warned him you probably won’t stick it out for long.”

“Oh my god!” Alegra shrunk down in her chair and put a hand over her face, ignoring the amusement brightening Bella’s face. “I can’t believe I agreed to this ridiculous scheme.”

“I think it’ll be fun,” Bella said excitedly. “You’ll be like a spy, working undercover.”

“I’m just not sure why the undercover thing is necessary.” Alegra rubbed at the space between her eyes. “If you want to know how to increase profits, I don’t need to work in the restaurant to figure that out. It’d take me two days to get the measure of the place.”

“I think it’d be better if the staff don’t know who you are,” her dad said vaguely. “You’ll get to the root of the problems that way.”

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